At Fuller, an emphasis consists of a minimum of five courses grouped around a particular area of interest. By choosing an emphasis, students will be guided to courses in the three schools taught by faculty doing research on topics relevant to the emphasis area. Some emphases have certain specific requirements, along with a variety of choices; others offer even more flexibility.

The following areas of emphasis are available for most master's degrees in the School of Theology and School of Intercultural Studies. Certain emphases are only available in connection with specific degree programs.

Ancient Context of the Old Testament

Ancient Near Eastern Studies(MA in Theology only)

Anglican Communion Studies

Biblical and Theological Studies (MA in Theology only)

Children at Risk

Christian Ethics

Church in Contemporary Culture

De Pree Emphasis in Leadership

International Development and Urban Studies

Islamic Studies

Leadership in Multicultural Latino Community

Recovery Ministry

Theology and the Arts

U.S. Military Chaplaincy (MDiv and MA in Theology and Ministry only)

Worship and Music Ministry

Worship, Theology, and the Arts

Youth, Family, and Culture

Ancient Context of the Old Testament

The Ancient Context of the Old Testament emphasis is designed for students who want to understand the historical and cultural backgrounds of the Old Testament better, and learn Hebrew and Aramaic at a level sufficient for advanced exegesis. The program is intended to enable students to thoughtfully synthesize the fields of Ancient Near Eastern Studies, biblical studies, and theology. The emphasis requires 20 units. Normally the five courses will include the three courses below, although the student may arrange otherwise with the faculty coordinator.

OT583 Ancient Near Eastern History, Literature, and Culture

LG525 Biblical Aramaic

LG506 Advanced Hebrew Grammar

Other approved Ancient Near East courses include:

OT576 Experiencing the Land of the Bible (travel/study course)

LG533 Ugaritic I Beginning Ugaritic

LG534 Ugaritic II Special Topics in Ugaritology

LG535 Beginning Akkadian

LG536 Advanced Akkadian

LG546 Northwest Semitic Texts

Ancient Near Eastern Studies (MA in Theology only)

The Ancient Near Eastern Studies emphasis is designed to orient MA in Theology students to the historical and cultural backgrounds to the Old Testament, with a strong emphasis on Semitic philology. With additional work in biblical studies and theology, the program further means to produce well-rounded graduates who can make connections between these fields. Students will find themselves prepared for doctoral work in either Old Testament/Hebrew Bible or Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations. The emphasis requires 32 units.

Choose five of the following ancient Semitic languages:

LG525 Biblical Aramaic

LG533 Ugaritic I Beginning Ugaritic

LG534 Ugaritic II Special Topics in Ugaritology

LG535 Beginning Akkadian

LG536 Advanced Akkadian

LG546 Northwest Semitic Texts

Choose one research course (examples below):

OT554 Israelite Religion in its Ancient Near Eastern Context

OT581 History and Historiography of Ancient Israel

Directed/Independent Study

Choose two Ancient Near Eastern Languages and Literature courses from the following:

LG506 Advanced Hebrew Grammar

OT583 Ancient Near Eastern History, Literature, and Culture

Old Testament seminars (PhD level courses available at the 500-level with permission of instructor)

Students pursuing this emphasis are strongly encouraged to elect exegesis courses that use the biblical languages to meet their book study requirements in the MA curriculum.

Anglican Communion Studies

The Anglican Communion Studies emphasis is designed for students who are preparing for ordination or who simply want to deepen their understanding of Anglicanism/Episcopalianism. Taught by a team of scholars from around the world, courses will emphasize the practical implications of Anglican Communion studies as well as their academic basis. The emphasis requires 24 units. All of the courses are available only online.

Required courses

DP516 Anglican History and Polity

PM546 Pastoral Theology, Ministry, and Ethics from an Anglican Perspective

SP526 Anglican Spirituality

TH560 Anglican Theology

TM531 Anglican Mission in Global Context

WS523 Anglican Liturgy and Worship

Biblical and Theological Studies (MA in Theology only)

The Biblical and Theological Studies emphasis is designed to give MA in Theology students the necessary biblical and theological preparation for doctoral studies. In addition to the foundational courses found in the MAT core and additional requirements, this emphasis will round off the MAT program with instruction in the biblical languages. The emphasis requires 20 units.

Required courses

LG502 Beginning Hebrew (8 units)

LG512 Beginning Greek (12 units)

Recommended Elective

NE502 Exegetical Methods and Practice

Children at Risk

The Children at Risk emphasis enables students to dialogue with a variety of disciplines for understanding, relating to, and ministering with children and youth and the cultural and at-risk contexts in which they live. Students will develop effective strategies for implementing holistic ministry with children and youth by connecting relevant theory and theology with contemporary best practices.The emphasis requires 20 units.

Required courses:

MD575 Childhood in Global Perspective

MD543 Mission with Children at Risk

Choose three courses (12 units) from the following lists; at least one course must be from the Tools and Practices section

Tools and Practices

MD553 Sexually Exploited and Street Children: Tools for Ministry

MD545 Ministry with Street Children

MD544 Ministry with Sexually Exploited and Trafficked Children

MD528 Development Tools and Practices

MN533 Community Organizing

TM520 Church Based Urban Research

TM522 Homelessness and Church Partnerships

FS511 Cultural and Ethnic Issues in Marital and Family Intervention

FL501 Family Life Education

FL502 Parent Education and Guidance

YF503 Youth Outreach and Evangelism

Children, Youth and Family

MD551 Girl Child: The Problem and Potential

MD555 Learning with Children

PI519 Community and Caring for Children at Risk

YF500 Foundation of Youth Ministry

YF502 Leadership in Youth Ministry

YF504 Introduction to Family Ministry

FS500 Family Systems Dynamics

FS505 Child and Family Development

FI540 Narrative and Family Life

Other Approved Courses

MD524 Advocacy for Social Justice

MD546 Relief, Refugees and Conflict

MD525 Poverty and Development

MD540 Theology of Poverty and Development

MN520 Encountering the City

MN534 Complex Urban Environments

EV514 Urban Evangelism

ML500 Teamwork and Leadership

MM568 Self Care in Mission

TC511 Theology and Hip Hop Culture

Christian Ethics

The Christian Ethics emphasis enables students to develop deeper knowledge and skills in Christian ethics as they relate to practices in churches and in the world. Within Christian ethics courses, and with courses focusing on church renewal students are prepared for leading church renewal through deeper Christian discipleship, or for service in citizen organizations.This emphasis requires 20 units.

ET501 Christian Ethics (as part of degree core requirement)

Choose any three ethics courses (ET prefix)

Choose any one philosophy/philosophical theology course (PH prefix)

Choose one of the following courses:

Church Renewal

MC500 Church and Mission in a Global Context

MC520 Church Planting

MC532 Evangelizing Nominal Christians

MP520 Transforming Contemporary Culture

Youth Ministry or Global Ministry

YF502 Leadership in Youth Ministry

YF503 Youth Outreach and Evangelism

MD500 Globalization, the Poor and Christian Mission

MD524 Advocacy for Social Justice

MD525 Poverty and Development

MD546 Relief, Refugees, and Conflict

GM518 Introduction to Urban Studies

Church in Contemporary Culture

The Church in Contemporary Culture emphasis leads students to discover the underlying rules and patterns of how contemporary culture operates. Students will assess the impact of post-Christendom and postmodernity in the life of the culture, and evaluate contemporary forms of church and mission as to their congruence with contemporary culture. In addition, students will develop appropriate church models and the skills needed for indigenous church planting. This emphasis requires 20 units.

Choose two of the following courses:

MC509 The Church in a Culture of Technology

TC500 Theology and Culture

TC512 Theology and Media Culture

Choose three courses from the following:

MC520 Church Planting

MP520 Transforming Contemporary Culture

TC515 Understanding Popular Music

TC530 Theology and Film

TC581 Worship, Theology, and the Arts Touchstone Course

TC588 Engaging Independent Film

TC531 Postmodern Theology, Film, and Youth Culture

CO515 Communication for Church and Community Ministry

The third course from the Required section above

De Pree Emphasis in Leadership

The De Pree Emphasis in Leadership is designed to embody Fuller Seminary's commitment to practicing leadership in line with the values of Max De Pree. Working off of Max De Pree's understanding that "belief precedes behavior," students learn not only practices for leadership, but also values that stand behind those practices.

To complete the De Pree Emphasis in Leadership, as student must pass courses in four of the five course areas and complete an internship, for a total of 20 units.

Area 1: The Leader as Person (Self-Awareness, Reflection, Self-Discipline, Spiritual Formation, Character Development)

Students must complete an internship that includes participation in a Theological or Missiological Reflection Group.

International Development and Urban Studies

The International Development and Urban Studies emphasis is intended to equip students in the theory and practice of working for holistic transformation with the poor and oppressed internationally and in U.S. urban settings. Students substantively engage with the impact of a globalizing and urbanizing world and the impact of both on the poor.The emphasis requires a total of 20 units.

Required:

MD525 Poverty and Development

Choose one:

MN520 Encountering the City

MN534 Complex Urban Environments

GM518 Introduction to Urban Studies

Choose one:

MN533 Organizing Urban Communities

MD528 Development Tools and Practice

Choose 2 courses (8 units) from the following:

International Development

MD500 Globalization, the Poor and Christian Mission

MD528 Development Tools and Practice

MD546 Relief, Refugees and Conflict

MD540 Theology of Poverty and Development

MD524 Advocacy and Social Justice

Other Children at Risk courses

Urban Studies

GM518 Introduction to Urban Studies

EV514 Urban Evangelism

TM520 Church-Based Urban Research

MN534 Complex Urban Environments

MN533 Organizing Urban Communities for Transformation

MN576 Incarnation and Mission among the World's Urban Poor

TM522 Homelessness, Congregations and Church Partnerships

TC511 Theology and Hip Hop Culture

SP504 Spirituality and Urban Mission

Other Courses

PG504 Community and Caring for Children at Risk

TM521 Congregations in the World

Islamic Studies

The Islamic Studies emphasis equips students to pursue intercultural work and to engage globally and more thoughtfully with Islam and Muslims. Students will gain an overview of Muslim faith and practice, with special attention to comparisons with Christianity and varieties of expressions and survey and analyze Muslim-Christian relations throughout history and in modern day.

This emphasis requires six specific courses, for a total of 24 units:

MR550 Introduction to Islam

MR552 History of the Muslim-Christian Encounter

MR554 Models of Witness in Muslim Contexts

MR555 Popular Islamic Piety

MR556 Current Trends in Islam

MR574 Muslim Peoples: A Sociological Approach

Recommended Electives

MR575 Arabic Reading

MR557 Women and the Family in Islam

Leadership in Multicultural Latino Community

The Leadership in Multicultural Latino Community emphasis offers students the opportunity to link a deeper biblical, theological and ministry understanding with tools for understanding the complexities of ministry in the US Hispanic context. Courses are taught by pastors and professors involved in the Hispanic community who address the challenges out of their own life and ministry experiences.This emphasis requires a total of 20 units.

ST 555 Teología Latina en contexto (Hispanic Theology In Context)

GM 574: Iglesia Evangélica Latina (Hispanic Protestant Church)

Choose two courses (8 units): Any courses with a MIN attribute on the quarterly schedule taught through el Centro Latino (the Hispanic Center)

Capstone Course: Leadership in Practice

Recovery Ministry

The Recovery Ministry emphasis is designed to prepare students to creatively engage in the development of ministries to people struggling with addiction and/or abuse. Addiction and abuse are systemic problems that complicate and reinforce most other social problems—everything from traffic safety to criminality. The Recovery Ministry emphasis is designed to help students become well informed about these difficult issues and prepared to be part of the solution.A total of 20 units is required.

Required:

CN520 Pastoral Counseling

EV532 Recovery Ministry in a Local Church

CN558 Pastoral Care and Sexuality

Choose one:

CN553 Pastoral Care/Sex Abuse/Family

CN557 Pastoral Care and Addictions

Choose one:

CN504 Family Therapy and Pastoral Counseling

FS500 Introduction to Family Systems Theory

Theology and the Arts

The Theology and the Arts emphasis is for students with an academic interest in culture, art, and theology, and for practicing artists who want a theological and biblical foundation for their work. Students prepare to be theological interpreters of culture and/or artists able to bring art and culture into conversation with theology. The emphasis requires 24 units.

TC581 Worship, Theology and the Arts Touchstone Course

TC591 Theology and the Arts Capstone Cohort

TC592A/B Theology and the Arts Project Cohort

Choose three other Theology and Culture (TC prefix) classes

U.S. Military Chaplaincy

The U.S. Military Chaplaincy emphasis is designed to provide a range of courses that will prepare chaplains for the special challenges of working in military settings. While flexible, it gives a solid foundation in theology, Bible, and practical theology courses relating to family, pastoral care, worship and preaching, trauma, and administration.It requires 24 units, and is only available in connection with the MA in Theology and Ministry degree program. Because of the unique nature of this emphasis, the MA in Theology and Ministry with the U.S. Military Chaplaincy emphasis requires a total of 108 quarter units.

Any Counseling course (CN prefix)

ET520 Biblical and Practical Peacemaking

MR549 Evangelicals and Interfaith Dialog

FS500 Family Systems Dynamics

Choose two courses from the following (8 units)

CN506 Conflict and Conciliation

CN535 Grief, Loss, Death and Dying

CN557 Pastoral Care and Addictions

WS518 Worship Ministry on the Lord's Day

MM568 Self-Care in Mission

Any Leadership course in the School of Theology or School of Intercultural Studies

Worship and Music Ministry

The Worship and Music Ministry emphasis is a practical degree designed to address the learning needs of students currently in musical worship leadership or to prepare those intending to work in such contexts, particularly within the local church. Students will incorporate biblical and theological studies, practical theology, and cultural literacy, in addition to specialized studies in worship and music ministry.The emphasis requires 24 units.

TC581 Worship, Theology and the Arts Touchstone Course

WS514 Music in Worship

WS518 Worship Ministry on the Lord's Day

WS521 Music and Theology

WS522 Music for the Church Year and Occasional Services (2 units)

WS515 Music Leadership Practicum (6 units)

Worship, Theology, and the Arts

The Worship, Theology, and the Arts emphasis is for students interested in ministries relating to worship and the arts. Students incorporate biblical, historical, theological, and cultural foundations of worship and the use of the arts in ministry. Students have the opportunity to choose a more specific focus under the this emphasis. A total of 24 units is required.

Required:

TC581: Worship, Theology and the Arts Touchstone Course

Choose any five courses from the following:

Worship Studies (WS prefix)

Theology and Culture (TC prefix)

Communication (ME prefix - School of Intercultural Studies)

Recommended Electives

TC591: Theology and the Arts Capstone Cohort

TC592a/b: Theology and the Arts Project Cohort

Youth, Family, and Culture

The Youth, Family, and Culture emphasis is designed to enable the student to design a flexible, well-rounded and comprehensive curricular experience that can be shaped to address their cultural and contextual ministry interest and calling.

Choose any three Youth, Family, and Culture courses (YF prefix)

Choose two courses from the following departments or individual classes